Stress test results in disagreement between partners....

[Mommydee]

History of tachycardia onset in August 99 resting pulse 110-135, exercise quickly induces pulse 180-200+. Also, chest pain related to exercise and resolving with rest and shortness of breath with mild exertion started at same time.  41 yr old woman w/ prior history of mild MVP and benign PVCs, connective tissue disease, hypothyroidism, and asthma.  Underwent EKG, echocardiogram, and cardiolite exercise stress test and am happy to report that all results were within normal limits.  Here is where I got confused.  The stress test was monitored by one of the cardiologist partners at my side the whole time....he noted the quick rise in heart rate even without increasing the speed or slope of the treadmill, within five minutes the entire test was over since I surpassed 180 beats per minute and he stopped the test.  Initially he had told me that it would probably take more effort and I told him that it would probably be easy to get heart rate up there because it happens every time I exercise.  He told me I should do everything possible to keep exercise rate between 130-150 beats per minute and do NOT allow the rate to go into the 180s and above and keep working at that level.  
On the other hand, when I went back to get the final results from the cardiologist I saw first, he told me he did NOT agree with his partner.  He said the fast rate would just mean I would improve faster....he said he specialized in exercise and I should just go and keep exercising no matter how fast the heart rate got.  In light of the normal stress test, he did not feel the chest pain was heart related (the pain was not reproduced during the test, and I have not felt it recently).  I will add I've been exercising four times per week aerobically and three times per week strength training via Nautilus for one year and prior to August my resting rate was in the high 70s, but nobody seems to think it odd that my resting rate went up mysteriously.
I have two questions out of this:
#1  Which doctor should I listen to regarding heart rate and exercise....it is difficult to know since both are partners in the same group and both had my records available...it appears it is just a difference in opinion but since it is so contradictory I would like your input?
#2  Is it possible with my history of connective tissue disease I could have had pericarditis with no fluid, just inflammation, that would NOT have showed up on the echo or other tests, but could have caused these symptoms (tachycardia, increased PVCs, chest pain with exercise).  The thing that is really making me wonder is I recently received a prednisone taper and the symptoms seem to have cleared up with the prednisone, for the most part.  I asked about pericarditis but they said the echo did not pick it up so I didn't have it....I've had it before but in the past there has been fluid and it has appeared on the echo.  What do you think about this?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

If prednisone resolved the symptoms this may in fact be pericarditis.

angina or ishemia may case these symptoms.

[Mommydee]

Would the fact that prednisone appeared to resolve the problem make the inflammation only pericarditis more likely?  Do the symptoms of shortness of breath, tachycardia, palpitations, and chest pain with exercise support this diagnosis?  Are there other possible explanations?  Thank you.  Mommydee

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Which doctor should I listen to regarding heart rate and exercise....it is difficult to know since both are partners
     in the same group and both had my records available...it appears it is just a difference in opinion but since it is so
     contradictory I would like your input?

I generally recommend that people do not exercise to this high rate.  The 140 range is generally more appropriate.  
     #2 Is it possible with my history of connective tissue disease I could have had pericarditis with no fluid, just
     inflammation, that would NOT have showed up on the echo or other tests, but could have caused these symptoms
     (tachycardia, increased PVCs, chest pain with exercise). The thing that is really making me wonder is I recently
     received a prednisone taper and the symptoms seem to have cleared up with the prednisone, for the most part. I
     asked about pericarditis but they said the echo did not pick it up so I didn't have it....I've had it before but in the
     past there has been fluid and it has appeared on the echo. What do you think about this?  Generally the echo is not sensitive enough to pick up inflammation alone without fluid unless it is chronic and associated with calcium.